An Erosion of Australian Workers Rights
This letter was sent to me a couple of days ago from a visitor to snappa.com.au who gave me permission to publish his thoughts. He will remain anon but his views are very similar to those of many blue collar workers in our community.
I was recently issued a standard government form outlining our new intended workplace agreement, listing the government web site, for further details.
From the forwarded material, it struck me as un-fair that salaried earnings over $75,000 pa are excluded from a fairness test, and I asked via the governments web link, to explain this disparity, and outline any other rights are excluded based on a level of salary.
I received a phone call today from the government AWA, in which they agreed the fact that the fairness test is excluded for salaries beyond $75,000, but said that the ombudsman would have powers to protect new employment contracts, as set out in the guidelines. They stated that any duress applied by an employer to sign a new contract, would be protected as well. I stated that these laws on standard contract protection already exist, and the guidelines outlining the ombudsman’s jurisdiction are vague, and if precedence is given on salary for a fairness test, the ombudsman may feel disinclined to adjudicate on the same basis. I asked do they not agree that the point that excluding anyone regardless of salary is un-fair, and they agreed.
They said don’t supply feedback, and any complaints or observations on changes to the law, should be directed to you local Member of Parliament.
I then did a web search on AWA & came across your web site offering legal advice, and I post this sequence events for your comment?
I am not a member of any union or political group, and am largely un-affected by these new workplace agreements. It just struck me as an erosion of workers rights, not an enhancement, as promoted by the government media; and think that there may be more to come.
